Simple, yes, but the equation creates a potentially significant hurtle when attempting to deny an injured worker’s combined condition. This is because, in Ayres, the Court held onlythe otherwise compensable injury and the legally cognizable pre-existing condition(s) may be considered in determining whether the otherwise compensable injury is, or remains, the major contributing cause of an injured worker’s disability or need for treatment. A legally cognizable pre-existing condition is limited to either (1) a condition for which an injured worker has been previously diagnosed or obtained medical treatment for the symptoms of the condition and/or (2) a condition that constitutes arthritis or an arthritic condition. ORS 656.005(24)(a).

The following scenario highlights the difficulties created by this “simple” equation. Imagine you have a claim for a hernia allegedly occurring as a result of a distinct work injury. In the process of investigating the claim, all of the medical experts agree the hernia combined with the injured worker’s pre-existing obesity, a congenital defect in his abdominal wall and a weakened area at the site of the hernia to cause his disability and need for treatment. Assume the medical experts further agree the injured worker’s pre-existing obesity, congenital defect, and weakened area constitute the major contributing cause of his disability and need for treatment. However, the only pre-existing condition for which the injured worker previously sought treatment was obesity; neither the congenital defect nor the weakened area required treatment nor constituted arthritis or an arthritic condition. Under this scenario, the Ayres equation would look like this:

Combined Condition = Otherwise Compensable Injury (Hernia) + Obesity

The question would then be whether the hernia or the pre-existing obesity constituted the major contributing cause of the injured worker’s disability or need for treatment. His congenital defect and weakened abdominal wall would play no role in the analysis. Under the scenario discussed above, the employer would not have met its burden of proof because its medical experts did not limit their analysis to the legally cognizable pre-existing condition, ie, obesity. Moreover, unless the injured worker’s pre-existing obesity, on its own, constituted the major contributing cause of the injured worker’s disability or need for treatment, the employer could not have met its burden of proof. See: Mark G. Hanks, 66 Van Natta 669 (2014).

Practicing Tip: The formula highlighted by the Court is a vital factor to remember when asking medical experts to weigh in on a combined condition. You must emphasize the fact their analysis can only consider legally cognizable pre-existing condition(s) and the work injury. The consideration or inclusion of other factors in their analysis will be fatal to their opinions.

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